As a Cisco instructor, one of the most common conversations I have with new learners-especially those preparing for the CCNA exam for the very first time-is about misinformation. Rumors about Cisco exams circulate everywhere: online forums, Discord groups, Reddit threads, classrooms, and study communities. And while some may be harmless misunderstandings... others can genuinely harm your confidence or lead you to prepare in the wrong way.

In this blog, I'm breaking down five rumors I hear regularly from learners. My hope is that by clearing these up early, you'll approach your exam with clarity, confidence, and the right expectations. So, let's set the record straight!

1. You can't take any notes during the exam.

Verdict: FALSE... you can take notes!

This is one of the biggest misconceptions I hear from first-time test takers.

If you take your exam at a Pearson VUE testing center, you will receive access to an erasable noteboard where you can write, draw, and organize your thoughts. You can use this space to jot down:

• OSI Model
• TCP/IP stack
• Subnetting reference tables
• STP port states
• OSPF LSA types
• DHCP message sequence
• BGP best-path algorithm
• Anything else you're afraid you might forget under pressure

For many learners, spending a few minutes at the start of the exam writing down key memory joggers helps relieve anxiety and makes the test feel more familiar.

A digital whiteboard is also available for Pearson VUE online proctored exams, so you won't lose access to this tool even if you test from home.

2. The only way to renew my certification is to retake the same exam.

Verdict: FALSE!

Cisco offers multiple recertification options, giving you flexibility based on your goals.

You can recertify by:

• Retaking the same exam
• Earning a higher-level certification
• Earning Continuing Education (CE) credits

Most Cisco certifications-including CCNA-remain active for three years, while CCST certifications are valid for five years. Your progress is tracked in the Cisco Cert Tracker, making it easy to see where you stand.

This flexibility is great news for CCNA students because it means your learning journey can grow with your career, rather than forcing you into rigid timelines.

So, how can you earn CE credits? Easy! Any time you pass an exam, you'll get a number of CE credits that you can apply to renew any of your current certifications. You can also use Cisco U. to earn CE credits. And don't forget our RevUp to Recert program, which can also help you earn CE credits for free! Finally, if you go to Cisco Live, you can earn CE credits by attending sessions during the conference. In other words, there are loads of ways to earn CE credits.

The table below shows how many credits you can earn when you pass an exam. This is also the number of CE credits you need to recertify an active certification. In other words, if you are currently CCNA-certified and you pass the CCNA Cybersecurity exam, not only are you now doubly certified (CCNA + CCNA Cybersecurity), but the 30 CE credits you earned by passing the CCNA Cybersecurity exam are used to renew your CCNA for another three years from the date you passed the Cybersecurity exam. How easy is that!

3. If I fail, I can retry for free.

Verdict: TRUE... but only under a very specific program.

Cisco now offers an exam bundle called "Cisco Exam Safeguard." With it, you pay a bit more upfront (e.g., $375 USD instead of $300 USD for the CCNA), and if you don't pass on your first attempt, you get one free retake within 90 days.

Not every exam will always have a Safeguard option, and promotions can change-so check the Cisco Learning Network when scheduling your exam.

For students worried about test anxiety, this add-on often provides peace of mind.

4. Finishing the three Cisco Networking Academy CCNA courses certifies me as a CCNA.

Verdict: FALSE!

Completing Cisco Networking Academy CCNA courses is a fantastic achievement-it means you've put in the time, conquered foundational concepts, and built critical hands-on skills. But it does not automatically grant you the CCNA certification. To become officially CCNA certified, you must still take and pass the 200-301 CCNA exam delivered through Pearson VUE.

Think of your Cisco Networking Academy courses as the training ground-and the certification exam as the final demonstration of your readiness.

5. Cisco exams now include hands-on lab items.

Verdict: TRUE!

Yes-some Cisco exams now include lab-style (lablet) items.

These labs:

• Typically appear at the beginning of the exam
• May take 8-10 minutes each
• Include multiple tasks from different domains
• Use partial grading
• Require you to manage your time wisely

For CCNA candidates, this is excellent news: understanding how networking works on real devices matters far more than simply memorizing facts. The labs reward genuine understanding and align the exam with real-world troubleshooting scenarios.

Check out this very cool certification exam tutorial to see what these labs actually look like!

Final thoughts

As you prepare for your CCNA exam, remember: knowledge removes fear. By cutting through rumors and replacing them with facts, you'll walk into your exam session far more confident than the average test taker.

This is only Part 1, and I'll continue debunking more myths, misunderstandings, and exam-day misconceptions in my next installment, so stay tuned!

Until then, check out these two episodes of Snack Minute that I recorded on this topic:

• Cisco Certifications: Don't test until you know the truth (Part 1)
• Cisco Certifications: Don't test until you know the truth (Part 2)

What myths or rumors have you heard? Share them in the comments below, and let's see if they are true (or not)!

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